The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies over St Peter's
basilica in route to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence where
Benedict will spend his time until the papal conclave and the
preparation of his retirement apartments in the Vatican.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will stay at the Vatican's summer residence, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo until the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) at the Vatican will be ready to host him.

The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen...

The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen... Photo-4262207.57599 - SFGate

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A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the...

A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the... Photo-4262202.57599 - SFGate

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A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the...

A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the... Photo-4262204.57599 - SFGate

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The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen on February 20, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Apostolic Palace and The Ponifical Villas of Castelgandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen...

The gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo are seen... Photo-4262206.57599 - SFGate

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A sculpture stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A sculpture stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of...

A sculpture stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of... Photo-4262205.57599 - SFGate

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Sculptures stand in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

Sculptures stand in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of...

Sculptures stand in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of... Photo-4262208.57599 - SFGate

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A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of...

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of... Photo-4262210.57599 - SFGate

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A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of...

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of... Photo-4262203.57599 - SFGate

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A view of the Chinese Room at the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

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A view of the Chinese Room at the Apostolic Palace of... Photo-4262213.57599 - SFGate

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Details in the Chinese Room room of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

The Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo that will be the Pope Benedict XVI's residence during the next Conclave, is seen on February 20, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Apostolic Palace and The Pontifical Villas of Castelgandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of Popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

The Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo that will be the Pope...

The Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo that will be the Pope... Photo-4262211.57599 - SFGate

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A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of...

A statue stands in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of... Photo-4262225.57599 - SFGate

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A detail featuring the effigy of Benedict XVI Papacy is seen in the Chinese Room room of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A detail featuring the effigy of Benedict XVI Papacy is seen in the...

A detail featuring the effigy of Benedict XVI Papacy is seen in the... Photo-4262216.57599 - SFGate

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A view of of the Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castelgandolfo on the Albano lac, that will be the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's residence during the next Conclave on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A view of of the Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of...

A view of of the Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of... Photo-4262214.57599 - SFGate

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A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens of...

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens... Photo-4262217.57599 - SFGate

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A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens in...

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows the Pontiff's gardens... Photo-4262218.57599 - SFGate

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A visitor walks on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A visitor walks on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the...

A visitor walks on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the... Photo-4262219.57599 - SFGate

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A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows cows in the gardens of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows cows in the gardens of the...

A view taken on February 20, 2013 shows cows in the gardens of the... Photo-4262221.57599 - SFGate

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A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the...

A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the... Photo-4262223.57599 - SFGate

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A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images

A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the...

A statue is pictured on February 20, 2013 in the gardens of the... Photo-4262224.57599 - SFGate

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A man opens the main door of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo on February 20, 2013 in Rome.

Photo: Franco Origlia, Getty Images

A man opens the main door of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo...

A man opens the main door of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo... Photo-4262215.57599 - SFGate